Portable conveyer



v. L. ToLF 1,937,925

PORTABLE CONVEYER Filed Nov. 23, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5, 1933. v. L. TOLF PORTABLE CONVEYER Filed Nov. 23, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N V E N l 0A. H Y 1//670/2 L. 70M

" h A TTRNEY Patented Dec. 5, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application November 23, 1931 Serial No. 576,656

8 Claims.

This invention relates to power conveyers.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a simple, com-pact. portable conveyer adapted particularly for transporting goods for fa short distance, as from a warehouse into a freight car or from a truck into a store.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable conveyer of limited length so constructed that it can be extended and contracted lnlongitudinally without affecting the tension of the endless conveyer chain mounted thereon.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a simple and convenient apparatus oi the kind above referred to which can be readily moved l from place to place and extended as to its length in order to accommodate different conditions of distance between receiving and discharging points.

Still another object of the invention is to proivide a light longitudinally extensible power conveyer for transporting articles short distances and which can be employed with either a pair of parallel conveyer chains or a relatively wide conveyer belt, and which will provide means for Z'instantly taking up the slack in the chains or belt as they increase in length, due to constant use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power conveyer having a longitudinally amextensible main frame, supported at each end only, its novel telescopic construction requiring no additional supporting means at the central portion of the device although the frame be extended to its maximum length and the convcyer 42carrying a heavy load.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafterspecically pointed out, or will become apparent, as the specification proceeds.

With the above indicated objects in view, the invention resides in certain novel constructions and combinations and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the following specification and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which latter show embodiments of the invention as at present preferred.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a broken top plan view of the embodiment, partially extended.

Fig. 2 is a broken side elevation of same.

Fig. 3 is a broken, longitudinal Vertical section of the device.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation thereof.

Fig. 5 is a broken end elevation and shows a modification in the construction of two of the` channel bars.

Referring now to said drawings by reference numerals, the conveyer, as at present preferred;V includes a pair of longitudinally extensionable or telescopic frame structures 10 and l1, the" former being designated Vas the moveable struc-l ture and the latter as the stationary structure. Both of these structures are movable in the sense that they are mounted on wheels, but the latter structure, which@ supports the motive power means for operating the conveyor, is relatively the more stationary.

The moveable frame'structure includes a pair of spaced, U shaped channel members 12 and l13V," the open portions of which face inwardly as il-r lustrated in Fig. 4. Secured to the upper horlzontal portion of each of these channel members are a pair of spaced angle bars 14 and 15, said" bars having downwardly'extending vertical YsideV portions 16 and' 17 and inwardly extending lowerV horizontal 'portions 18 and! 19, said side and horizontal portions acting as guides for the goods to be moved on the conveyer and function to prevent same from mov-ingoff the conveyer chain.

The channel members 14 and 15, together with their angle bars 16 and 17 are secured in their spacedv'position by means of a plurality of cross bars 20 which are secured at their terminals to the under side of the lower horizontal portions 18 andl 19 of the angle bars 14 and 15.

The frame structure is supported at its outer end by means of a pair of legs 121 and 22 Which are constructed preferably of angleiron'andare secured Yto thechannetemveinbers'm and 13, respectively, said legs being reihficedby diagonal supports 23 and af horizontal vcross-piece 24. The legs are also provided with small casters or rollers 25 at their lowerl ends,A said casters being desirably of the universal type in order that the device may be rolled in any direction.

A shaft 26 is journalled-in bearing members 27 secured to the outer end of the frame structure 10, said shaft carrying a pair of spaced sprockets `28 overV which-a pair oi" conventionalJ conveyer chains 29 pass,V said conveyer chains being indicated in dot and'ldash lines in` Figs. 2 and 3. The conveyer chains are supported be-4 tween the terminal sprockets in a pair of spacedV trackways 30 mounted on the cross-bars 20, said trackways having curved side portions 30.V

Another shaftV 32,`carrying a pair of chain" sprockets 33, is journalled in bearing members 34 mounted at the lower end of vertical bearing ver supporting members and 36 secured at each side of the movable frame structure l0, near the inner end portion thereof.

The movable frame structure is also provided with a pair of U shaped channel bars 38 and 39 on either side thereof, the open portion of said bars facing inwardly, the former channel bar being secured, at its outer terminus, to the leg 21 and at its inner terminus to the vertical bearing supporting member 35 (Fig. 3). The opposite channel bar is secured at its outer terminus to the leg 22 and at its inner terminus to the vertical bearing supporting member 36, the uses and purposes of said channel members being described hereafter.

The stationary frame structure 11 is constructed somewhat similar to the movable frame structure l0 and includes a pair of spaced U shaped channel bars 42 and 43, the open portions of which face outwardly and are adapted to pass, in a telescopic fashion, into the pair of channels formed by the spaced channel members 12 and 13 together with the downwardly extending vertical portions 16 and 17 of the angle bars 14 and 15, respectively, all as iliustrated in Fig. 4. These channel bars 42 and 43 are also adapted to function as side guides, complementary to the side portions 16 and 17, to retain the goods upon the conveyor during the feeding movement.

In order to reduce the friction between the channel bars 42 and 43 as they slide in and out of the channel bars 12 and 13, respectively, a plurality of rollers are provided in each of said complementary bars. The inner end portions of the channel bars 42 and 43 of the stationary frame structure are provided with vertical rollers 44 which are pivotally mounted within said channel bars, a slot 44 being provided at the upper and lower edges of the bars adjacent to the upper and lower parts of said rollers, the rollers being of slightly greater diameter than the height of said channel bars in order that the rollers may extend through said slots and engage the upper and lower inner surfaces of the channel bars l2 and 13, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Likewise a pair of vertical rollers 45 are mounted at the inner end of the channel members 12 and 13, said rollers being of slightly less diameter than the distance between the upper and lower walls of the channel members 42 and 43. Thus, a portion of the friction between the channel members 42 and 43 and the inner end of the channel members l2 and 13 will be taken up by said rollers. Y

The outer end portions of the stationary frame structure are supported by means of llegs 46 and 46', said legs being provided with small rollers or casters 47, the legs being reinforced by means of a cross-bar 48 to act as a brace. The legs provide means for mounting bearing members 50 in which a shaft 51, carrying a pair of spaced sprockets 52 is mounted.

The two channel bars 42 and 43 are secured in their spaced position by means of a plurality of cross-bar members 53, said cross-bars also supporting a pair of spaced flat track members 54 and 55 over which the chains pass at this end of the conveyer. The cross-bar members 53 are desrably positioned somewhat lower than the cross-bar members 20 in the movable frame structure in order that the latter track members 54 and 55 may pass under the track members 30 in the movable frame structure when the conveyer is in a telescoped position.

Cooperating with the sprockets 33 mounted at the inner end of the movable frame structure are a pair of sprockets 58 mounted on a transverse shaft 59 which is slidably mounted at its terminals between the pair of U shaped channel bars 38 and 39, the shaft being provided with small rollers 60 to facilitate its movement which is longitudinal of the frame. A pair of rods 61 and 62 are secured at their inner ends to said shaft, the outer ends thereof being provided with turnbuckle sleeves 63 and 64 with left and right threads, the opposite ends of said sleeves carrying rods 65 and 66 which are secured at their outer terminals to a transverse rod 67 carried by the legs 45 and 46.

The pair of conveyer chains 29 pass over the two terminal sprockets 23 and 52. respectively, over the underhung sprockets 33 and back around the sprockets 58 mounted on the shaft 59 at the end of the adjustable rods 6l and 62. lt will be appreciated that as the frame is extended to provide for a longer haul the increased length of chain on the top of the conveyer is compensated for by the two last mentioned pairs of sprockets moving closer together. As the chains increase in length, due to continued use, the slack may be taken up by extending the rods 61 and 62 by means of the turnbuckle sleeves.

In order to prevent the lower portion of the chains in the stationary frame structure from hanging too low, thereby interferring with the sprockets 33, a. pair of idler sprockets 70, over which the chains pass, are mounted on a shaft 7l, the shaft being journalled in a pair of bearing members 72 secured to the legs 45 and 46.

The conveyer is adapted to be driven by means of a conventional low speed motor 73, or a high speed motor with speed reducing means, mounted on the legs 45 and 46, a chain 74 from the motor engaging a sprocket 75 on the shaft 51. When a conveyer belt is to be employed instead of the conveyer chains, the sprockets may be removed and a conventional belt pulley placed on each of the four transverse shafts.

The following means are employed for longitudinally extending and retracting the frame structures. A shaft 76 is journalled in suitable bearing members 77, said shaft mounting a small externally threaded drum 78, the shaft being revolved by means of a crank 79. A cable 80 is secured at one end thereof to the cross piece 20. The cable passes around the threaded drum and through an aperture 81 in the center thereof, and thence to the cross piece 53 in the stationary frame structure where it is secured at 82. Thus as the drum is manually revolved in one direction it extends the frame structure by drawing the cross-bar 20 towards the drum and when it is revolved in the opposite direction it retracts the frame structures by drawing the drum towards the cross piece 53.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a slight variation in the construction of the moveable frame structure. Instead of employing U shaped channel members 12 and 13 and securing to the upper side thereof the angle bars 14 and 15, I can employ a channel member 84 having upper and lower portions 85 and 86, a vertical side portion 87, a downwardly extending opposite side portion 88 and an inwardly extending flange por-4 tion B9. The channel bar 42 of the stationary frame structure is adapted to pass into the channel thus formed.

When the conveyor is rolled to its proper place 150 suitableA conventional meansV (not illustrated) maybe employed for elevating the legs, thereby tatiesits Weight @the Casiers- The hereinbefore described construction ad-` 5` mits Aof considerable modification Without departing from the invention; therefore, it is the wish not to be limited to the precise arrangements shown and described, which are asl aforesaid,by Way of illustration merely. In other Words the scope of protection contemplated is to be taken solely from the appended claims, interpreted as broadly as is consistent with the prior art.

VWhat I claim is: 1Q, l.V In Va portable extensible conveyer, a pair of telescopic frame members, each of said frame members including opposite side frame portions, transverse'supports being secured at their tertosaid opposite side frame portions and 2Q, adapted to secure same in spaced relation, each of said 'frame members having a pair of vertical legs at the outer ends thereof to provide supporting means for the conveyer, said side frame portions having oppositely facing side guides, one 25IA oi" said frame members including horizontal portions adjacent to the side guides of the side frame portions for guiding and supporting articles carried by said conveyer, an endless flexible conveyer on said telescopic frame members, means :iwfor extending the length of said endless flexible v'conveyen said means including a plurality of sprockets on said telescopic frame members, said endless flexible conveyer passing over said sprockets, complementary trackways on said agframe members to guide said endless conveyer, ""sla'ck adjusting means for said endless conveyer, means for moving one of said frame members relatively to the other to increase and decrease the effective length of said conveyer, and

a motor on one of said frame members for driving said conveyer.

2. In, a portable extensible conveyer, a pair of telescopic frame members, each of said frame members Yincluding opposite side frame portions,

4 each of said frame members having supporting i means, an endless flexible conveyer on said telescopicV frame members, means for extending the length of said endless flexible conveyer, said means including a plurality of inner and outer sgspockets on each of said telescopic frame members,l said endless flexible conveyer passing over said sprockets, complementary trackways on sajixdjframe members to guide said endless conveyer, slack adjusting means for said endless grconveyer, means for moving one of said frame membersrelatively to the other to increase and dcrease the effective length of said conveyer,

nd driving means for said conveyer, said slack adjusting means including a pair of slideways gion one of Vsaid frame members, the inner sprocket of 'the opposite frame member having a shaft adapted to travel in said slideways, a rod connecting said inner sprocket shaft with the outer portion of said opposite frame member, and cmeans for lengthening and shortening said rod. 3. In a portable extensible conveyer, a pair of inner and outer telescopic frame members, each of said frame members including opposite side frame portions, each of said frame mem- 70` bers having supporting means, an endless flex- `ible conveyer on said telescopic frame members, means for extending the length of said endless flexible conveyer, said means including outer and inner sprockets mounted adjacent op- Iposite ends of each of said telescopic frame members, said endless flexible conveyer passing over all said sprockets, the chain portions pass; ing,V over said inner sprockets overlapping one another, complementary trackwayson said frame members to guide said endless conveyer, slack adjusting means for s aid endless conveyer, said slack adjusting means including a pair of slide- Ways on one of said frame members, the inner sprocket of the opposite frame member having a shaft adapted to travel in said slideways, av rod connecting said inner sprocket shaft with the outer portion of said opposite frame member, and means for lengthening and shortening said rod, and means for moving one of said frame members relatively to the other to increase and decrease the effective length of saidl` conveyer.

4. In a portable extensible conveyer and the like, a pair of inner and outer telescopic frame members, each of said frame members including opposite side frame portions, an inwardly facing flange portion on each side frame portion and a plurality of cross bars extending transversely of the frame members and secured to said flange portions, parallel trackways mounted on said cross bars, each of said frame members having a plurality of supporting?, legs, an endless flexible conveyer on said telescopic frame members and supported intermediate of the termini thereof on said trackways, means for altering the length of said endless flexible conveyer, said alteration means including a plu. rality of sprockets on said telescopic frame members. said endless flexible conveyer passing over said sprockets, complementary trackways on said frame members to guide said endless conveyer, a drive shaft on one of said frame members, means operatively connecting said drive shaft with opposite ends of the other frame members, means to operate said drive shaft whereby to move one of said frame members relatively to the other to increase and decrease the effective length of said flexible conveyer and driving means for said conveyer.

5. In a portable extensible conveyer andthe like, a pair of inner and outer telescopic frame members, each of said frame members including opposite side frame portions, said side frame4 portions having oppositely facing side guides, the outer of said frame members including horizontal supporting portions adjacent to the` side guides of its side frame portions, each of said frame members having a plurality of supporting legs, rollers mounted at the inner end of each of said telescopic frame members and being adapted to facilitate the telescopic movement of said frame members, an endless flexible conveyer chain mounted on said telescopic frame members, means for altering effective the length of said endless flexible conveyer chain, said alteration means including a plurality of sprockets on said telescopic frame members, said endless flexible conveyer chain passing over said sprockets, complementary trackways on said frame members to guide said endless conveyer chain, slack adjusting means for said endless conveyer chain, a drive shaft on one of said frame members, means operatively connecting said drive shaft with opposite ends of the other frame member, means to operate said drive shaft whereby to move one of said frame members relatively to the other to increase and decrease the effective length of said flexible conveyer chain, and driving means for said conveyor.

s. In a portable extensible conveyer and the like, a pair of inner and outer telescopic frame members, each of said frame members includingopposite side frame portions, said side frame portions having oppositely facing side guides, the outer of said frame members including horizontal supporting portions adjacent to theside guides of its side frame portions, each of said frame members having a plurality of supporting legs, casters cn said legs, an endless flexible conveyer chain mounted on said telescopic frame members, means for altering efective the length of said endless flexible conveyor chain, said alteration means including outer and inner'sprockets mounted adjacent opposite ends of each of said telescopicY frame members, an idler sprocket adjacent to the outer sprocket of one of said frame members, said endless flexible conveyor chain passing over all said sprockets, the chain portions passing over said inner sprockets overlapping one another, complementary trackways on said frame members to guide said endless conveyer chain, slack adjusting means for said endless conveyer chain, a drive shaft on one of said frame members, means operatively connecting said drive shaft with opposite ends of the other frame member, means to operate said drive shaft whereby to move one of said frame members relatively to the other to increase and decrease the effective length of said flexible conveyor chain, and driving means for said conveyor, said conveyer driving means including an electric motor mounted on one of said frame members and operatively connected to said conveyor.

'7. In a portable extensible conveyer and the like, a pair of inner and outer telescopic frame members, each of said frame members including opposite side frame portions, said side frame portions having oppositely facing side guides, they outer of said frame members including horizontal supporting portions adjacent to the side guides of its side frame portions, each of said frame members having a plurality of supporting legs, an endless exible conveyor chain mounted on said telescopic frame members, means for altering the length of the telescopic frame structure, said alteration means including a plurality of sprockets mounted on said telescopic frame members, an idler sprocket adjacent to the outer sprocket of one of said frame members, said endless nexible conveyer chain passing over all said sprockets, the chain portions passing over said inner sprockets overlapping one another, complementary trackways on said frame members to guide said endless ccnveyer chain member, slack adjusting means for said endless conveyer chain, said slack adjusting means including a pair of slideways on one of said frame members, the inner sprocket of the opposite frame member having a shaft'adapted to travel in said slideways, a rod'eonnecting said inner sprocket shaft with theouter portion of said opposite frame member, and means for lengthening and shortening said rod, a drive shaft on one of said frame members, means operatively connecting said drive shaft with opposite ends of the other frame member, means to operate said drive shaft whereby to move one of said frame members relatively to the other to increase and decrease the eiective length of said flexible conveyor chain, and a motor mounted on one of said frame members and operatively connected to said conveyor for driving the latter.

8. In a portable extensible conveyer and the like, a pair `of inner and outer telescopic frame members, each of said frame members including opposite side frame portions, said side frame portions having oppositely facing side guides, the outer of said frame members including horizontal supporting portions adjacent to the side guides of its side frame portions, each of said frame members having a plurality of supporting legs, casters on said legs, an endless flexible conveyor chain mounted on said telescopic frame members, means for altering eiective the length of said endless exible conveyer chain, said alteration means including outer and inner sprockets mounted adjacent 'opposite ends of each of said telescopic rame members, an idler sprocket adjacent to the cuter sprocket of one of said frame members, said endless exible conveyor chain passing over all said sprockets, the chain portions passing over said inner sprockets overlapping one another, complementary trackways on said frame members to guide said endless conveyer chain, slack adjusting means for said endless conveyor chain, said slack adjusting means including a pair of slideways on one of said frame members, the inner sprocket of the opposits frame member having a shaft adapted to travel in said slideways, a rod connecting said inner sprocket shaft with the outer portion of said opposite frame member, and means for lengthening and shortening said rod, a drive shaft on one of said frame members, means operatively connecting said drive shaft with opposite ends of the other frame member, means to operate said drive shaft whereby to move one of said frame members relatively to the other to increase and decrease the effective length of said flexible conveyer chain, driving means for said conveyor, said conveyor driving means including an electric motor mounted on one of said frame members and operatively connected to said conveyor, and means to prevent unintentional separation of said frame members.

VICTOR L. TOLF. 

